Proper Pumpkin Handling

Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY

Happy Fall!

The Autumnal Equinox--the moment when the sun appears to cross the celestial equator--occurred this past Saturday, September 22.

The change in the seasons is the beginning of many things to come:  crop harvest, cooler temperatures, layers of clothing, shorter days, rich fall colors, and frost.

During the Monday morning hours, our area was under a frost advisory.  A frost advisory indicates that frost is likely, and sensitive plants left outdoors could be damaged.  According to the local Kentucky Mesonet station, temperatures dipped to 37 degrees Fahrenheit.

Now is the time of the year to be mindful of the dropping temperatures and protect sensitive plants.

Be on the Lookout for Late-Season Insect Pests

Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY

Despite the mild winter experienced through much of the nation, insect pest populations have been mostly below average in Kentucky.  However, as the summer season continued, weather patterns made it favorable for insets to begin migration, especially in southern states.

There have been reports of increasing numbers in the corn earworm, fall armyworm, and yellow-striped armyworm populations in various crops across the state.

Corn Earworm (University of Kentucky)

 While the corn earworm can be a pest of field corn and soybeans, this insect is also a serious pest of sweet corn and tomatoes.  The corn earworm has other names including soybean podworm, tomato fruitworm, and the cotton bollworm.  Earworms are variable in color, but they have a brown head without markings and numerous microscopic spines covering the body.  The larvae are moderately hairy and can vary from yellow, green, red, and brownish black.  Even with low numbers through much of the summer, growers need to monitor soybeans and vegetables for this pest.

Christin's Corner

Today, September 12, is a day worth celebrating for it marks an important milestone in my life and career.  It's my one year anniversary as the Extension Agent for Agriculture in Carroll County!

One whole year.  Wow.

It's hard to believe how fast time passes.  As a kid, I remember hearing that the older you get, the faster the years go by.  Of course, at the time, I thought this concept was crazy--school days seemed to never end.  However, today, I find that these words couldn't be more true.  In fact, it's a treat when I am able to sit down, attempt to slow time, and reflect on what is occurring around me.

As I look back on the past year, I see how much I have grown as an Extension Agent, and as a person.  Carroll County has been absolutely wonderful to me.  The people here have responded to me so well, and I am honored to work with some exceptional individuals and groups through Extension.  It's the relationships I've developed with these great people that make my job so rewarding.

Dealing With Fruit Flies in the Kitchen

Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY

Have you been seeing small flies or gnats in your kitchen lately?

Shoo Fly.  Don't Bother Me.  (UNL Extension)

These pesky little insects are fruit flies and while they can be a problem year around, they are especially common during the late summer and fall.

Fruit flies are attracted to ripened or fermenting fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, melons, squash, grapes, bananas, potatoes, and onions, among other perishable items.

Conservation District Field Day - September 20th

The Carroll County Conservation District is hosting a field day on Thursday, September 20 at 5:30 PM.  The field day, located at the 4 Mile Creek Outdoor Classroom in Carroll County, will focus on Wildlife Habitat.

Guest speakers for the event include:

Zak Danks
Farm Bill Biologist
Fish and Wildlife

Ben Lyle
Forester
Kentucky Division of Forestry

Kim Jett
Fourth Grade Teacher at Cartmell Elementary in Carrollton
Current Teacher of the Year for the Kentucky Division of Conservation

Christin Herbst
Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources
Carroll County Cooperative Extension Service

Tobacco Disease Management - Start Planning Now for the Next Growing Season

Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY

Photo by Stephen Patton, University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture

With the 2012 tobacco growing season wrapping up, growers are working hard to get their crops into the barns.

On one hand, the dry conditions of this past summer have kept leaf diseases, like frogeye and target spot, in check and we have not seen any blue mold across the state.  On the other hand, we saw more black shank and Fusarium wilt across the state than we have for the past three to four years.

Looking forward to the next growing season, it is hard to say what will be the big disease issue.  So much depends on the climate when we are dealing with diseases like blue mold, target spot, and frogeye.  However, we do know that some problems will show up again and again once certain pathogens get established in float beds or the field.